This blog is dedicated to our dear friend, Nosson Deitsch OBM, who was tragically torn away from us on Lag B’Omer 5770.

Nosson was a one-of-a kind Bochur who influenced many people, from all ages and backgrounds. He had a perpetual smile on his face and an extremely generous heart. He would do the biggest favor for a friend with only a moment’s notice. All those who knew him feel they had a unique relationship with him.

There are many untold stories of his selflessness, kindness, and the affect he had on countless lives. Please share your story, so that others can get a glimpse into his unique character and towering accomplishments.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Nosson Hashem Lachem

By Berel Pewzner

Nosson A”H it’s hard to accept that you are no longer with us.Nosson the one whom you could never get off your back (he just had to call, to know how you were doing) who could never sleep because there always seemed to be something more important to do, someone to learn with, Tanya to chazer, or another Jew needing help.Nosson you symbolized life and the need to live it to its fullest. Nosson you gave life, and built up people's lives and self esteem. I would like to share a few of the good memories of Nosson.

My first memories of Nosson are from summer camp, the always smiling always cheerful 11 year old, who was quick to make everyone feel comfortable, even if they were not good at sports or in any other arenas. The chayus that he exuded was incredible, I recall one long bus ride in camp during which Nosson kept all of us entertained with his games, loud (off key) singing and good natured teasing.

Moving on a couple of years we are in yeshiva (Kiryat Gat) together.In the Israeli system Chasidus starts at 7 am, but Nosson was there earlier chazering Tanya. One morning I saw him holding perek 20, when I commended him on his great knowledge he brushed me off and said he just had happened to have learn that perek, a few days later the man was holding perek 47, slowly I realized that he knew the entire Tanya baal peh, and reviewed it every day.I can still hear Nosson’s voice thundering in zal as he was tearing thru (at a rapid pace) a piece of gemara. He went out of his way to befriend many Israeli bochurim, who most of us did not give a second glance. Just one example, he learnt sichos every night with a buchari bachur who’s family were not from Anash and barely religious.Once on a off-Shabbos when most of us just wanted “Lasur es Haaretz” and enjoy ourselves, we met a boy from a broken home, a bitter individual who had apparently suffered a lot in life, and was eager to give us a taste of it. Needless to say it that was not our top priority to give him a chance to do that, but no, Nosson had to drag him over to the house at which we were eating that Friday night, and spent the entire seuda giving this troubled youngster some love and attention which he so desperately needed.

Nosson was a very vocal individual, not scared to speak his mind on all occasions. His voice was always the loudest and the most entertaining (even if it got him into embarrassing situations, he did not seem to mind). He did not mind to be politically incorrect if he thought something was right.

Many times he would call me up on Thursday nights to farbreng over the phone. We would say L’chayim together and he would share what was on his mind. He always had some beautiful Chasideshe Hergaishim and vertalach to give over. He would always end off with “I love You Man”.On the subject of love, Nosson was deeply mkushar to The Rebbe and loved him dearly. On the long Friday nights we would sit alone in the Kiryat Gat dining room with some “Chermon” and discuss what the Rebbe means to us and the need to give him Nachas and go on his Shlichus.

One incident which stands out in my memory, when we were in Oholei Torah we had a nightly chavrusa in the Rebbe’s Torah after seder, one random night Nosson shuts his sefer and says lets go to the Ohel. I asked what’s the occasion, he replied with “c'mon just lets go, it can’t be a bad thing”. He got a hold of a car and we went and visited our Rebbe, like two children bidding their father good night.

That was Nosson - (Shenatan v’natan) all caring, all loving person, a dear friend who always went out of his way help another Jew, ( in my last conversation with Nosson, he was trying to get help for a certain shliach) Nosson is someone that I will miss deeply and is one who has taught me many lessons.I am sure that after greeting his father, the Rebbe and all the good people above, Nosson will be a vocal advocate for us all and demand from the Almighty to bring us the Geula Shleima.